Life in Beta: A Type 1 Diabetes Podcast

Duck Fiabetes

First up, we're talking about the increasing trend of doctors prescribing Ozempic and similar drugs for people with type 1. Then, we recount a hilarious and slightly terrifying tale of trying to silence a malfunctioning Omnipod by running it over with a Kia Stinger. Spoiler alert: it took more than just a hammer to finally put it to rest. Who knew insulin pumps could be so dramatic?
We also share some real talk about managing sick days with Type 1. From dealing with stubborn high blood sugars to the importance of having a solid plan, we've got some great tips and stories to help you navigate those tricky times.
So grab your favourite beverage, get comfy, and join us for another episode full of laughs, learning, and a few facepalm moments.
 
ADEA Sick Day Management Plans...
... for people on injections: https://www.adea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SickDayActionPlan_02_05.pdf
... for people using an insulin pump: https://www.adea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SickDayActionPlan_01_05.pdf

Retro Party Mix

This week, we're chatting about some groundbreaking research that might just change the game for us - but don't hold your breath for a miracle cure just yet!
We've also got the latest scoop from Novo Nordisk about Levemir being phased out in Australia - not happy, Jan!
And on a more personal note, we're sharing our tips and tricks for managing diabetes when life gets a little too hectic. It's tempting to just throw in the towel completely and tell diabetes to go "eff itself in a corner", but there's a few things you can try before it gets to that...
So grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite hypo snack), and join us for a fun, honest chat about all things Type 1. We promise you'll leave with a smile!
 
Links we promised in the show:
Statement from the TGA about the cancellation of Levemir: https://www.tga.gov.au/upcoming-changes-supply-some-insulin-products
Strategies for aerobic and non-aerobic exercise: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-strategy-people-diabetes-blood-sugar.html
 

We'll Need Pigs... Lots Of Pigs!

Benjamin is putting on his bravest face as he tests out a new pen needle during the show. We’re also getting real about diabetes in the workplace: would you spill the beans about having type 1 during a job interview?
Wand let it never be said that we don't tackle the big question on this podcast, like how to survive the zombie apocalypse if you have type 1. Have you given that much thought? Well if you haven't already documented your personal survival plan in excruciating detail, don't worry, because Adam's been giving it a lot of thought!
Join us for some laughs, insights, and a little bit of chaos as we navigate life with type 1 diabetes. Welcome to another episode of Life in Beta, where we keep it real and a bit wild! 🎉

Secret Squirrel Business - Duncan Read, the Type 1 Adventure Racer

This week on Life in Beta, we're thrilled to bring you the highly anticipated interview with the incredible Duncan Reid. Duncan's story is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From starting adventure racing to setting a goal of running 10 ultramarathons in 10 years, he's done it all while managing type 1 diabetes!
We dive deep into why Duncan began adventure racing, how he balances his blood glucose levels while pushing his body to the limit, and his philosophy on living life to the fullest. You'll hear about his personal experiences, the challenges he's faced, and the triumphs he's celebrated. Trust us, this episode is packed with motivation and practical insights for anyone living with diabetes or looking to take on new challenges.
You can learn more about Duncan's adventures and support his fundraising for type 1 here: https://www.fitterforhavingit.com/support

Writhing All Over The Table

In this episode, Carly gives us the lowdown on how different types of exercise affect blood glucose levels, and shares her tips for keeping them in check. We have a good rant about ketone strips expiring (just when you need them!) and Benjamin hilariously recounts his many misadventures with sharp objects.
Whether you're a fitness fanatic or just trying to stay on top of your numbers, we've got something for you. 
Join us for a fun, informative, and laugh-out-loud episode as we navigate the lived reality of type 1 diabetes. 

Dragged, Kicking and Screaming

This week, we're diving into part two of everything we learned, longed for, loved, and loathed from the Australasian Diabetes Congress (ADC).
In this episode, Benjamin shares his many "prick of the week" candidates from ADC, and we have a special interview with Justine Cain, CEO of Diabetes Australia. Justine talks about their campaign to get insulin pumps and other tech publicly funded, and how you can help (see below). Plus, Benjamin brings us new insights about hypos (and the changes we hope it makes to getting your driver's licence form signed!).
And if ADC has been too much learning and not enough laughing, don't worry! We’ll return to our regular show format next week. For now, enjoy the blend of coffee machine anecdotes, personal experiences, and groundbreaking research that made this ADC unforgettable.
As mentioned in our interview with Justine Cain, you can help advocate for better funding for diabetes technology by sharing how it would improve your diabetes management and quality of life here: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/issue/affordable-access-to-aid/
You can also take to social media and use the hashtag #UniteInTheFightForTech and tag @Diabetes_Australia

Triple Threat - Omnipod 5 and other news from the Australasian Diabetes Congress

This week on Life in Beta, we're diving into the exciting highlights from the Australasian Diabetes Congress. There's so much to unpack that we're splitting it into two episodes.
In this episode, Benjamin gets on his soapbox to share his thoughts on the Type 1 sessions he attended—what got him excited and what got him riled up. Plus, we've got an exclusive chat with Jo Sader, the General Manager of Insulet Australia, who gives us the lowdown on the Omnipod 5, its expected release, and how to transition from Omnipod DASH to Omnipod 5.
Get ready for exciting tech announcements, some nerdy diabetes talk, and a sneak peek into the future of diabetes management.

Dexcom G7 Launch and Interview with Dr Aldo Riquelme

We're celebrating some big news – the Dexcom G7 is finally dropping in Oz this September! 🥳 We'll give you the lowdown on the awesome new features, and reveal a slightly disappointing caveat... This episode also features our first guest: Dr. Aldo Riquelmi, who is a GP and... a diabetes educator! 😱
This was a great discussion about getting more out of your GP visit than just scripts and referrals, and the role GPs can play (if you want them to) in your type 1 care. Aldo acknowledges that the health system is rigid and can be frustrating, but that with the right GP, you can use it to your advantage, and that some welcome changes might be coming in the next few years... 
During the show, we had some confusion over whether Dexcom G7 would allow users to silence urgent low alarms. We checked with Google and yes, we will be able to silence all alerts (including urgent low alerts) for up to 6 hours - yippee! Or at least that's how it works in the US.

Vodka, Soda and Fresh Lime

In this episode, we're spilling the tea (or maybe cocktails) on handling a night out with Type 1 Diabetes and alcohol. 🍸 There's hilarious hypo stories, the latest tech updates (hello Omnipod 5!) as well as a quick look at "smart insulin"... Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of life with Type 1.

Whispering Sweet Nothings

Good news: people with type 1 are living just as long as everyone else! But we need to talk about disability adjusted life years... Don't worry, we'll explain what that is. 
Join us as we chat about our personal tech choices, and why we love (and sometimes curse) our insulin pumps. Between Adam, Benjamin and Carly, they've tried them all - t:slim, Medtronic 780G, Omnipod and even a bit of DIY looping. And yes, there might be some amusing stories about where we hide our pumps. 😂
Oh, and if you’ve ever had a frustrating experience with private health insurers, you’re not alone. They may or may not be the focus of our Prick of the Week segment...
So, whether you’re a tech nerd or just looking for some relatable type 1 banter, this episode’s for you. Tune in, laugh, and maybe even learn a thing or two. 😊